Award winning film director, Aboki refutes claims of Nollywood, Kannywood rejection
Nigerian filmmaker and award winner, Prince Daniel, popularly known as Aboki, has dismissed reports claiming he was rejected by Kannywood due to his religion and by Nollywood because of his regional background.
Aboki, the director of Mai Martaba, a film that has gained widespread recognition within and beyond Nigeria, described the reports as a misinterpretation of his remarks during a recent event in Los Angeles, California.
SolaceBase reports that the epic Hausa film was among the entries at the just-concluded 97th Academy Awards, having been meritoriously selected by the Nigerian Official Selection Committee for the Best International Feature Film category.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Aboki clarified that he never granted any interview making such claims.
“My attention has been drawn to publications suggesting that Kannywood rejected me because of my religion and Nollywood because of my region. First and foremost, I never made such statements in any interview,” he said.
He explained that while speaking during a question-and-answer session at Nollywood in Hollywood earlier this month, he discussed the challenges encountered while producing Mai Martaba and the journey to the Oscars.
Among the challenges he highlighted were security concerns while filming in the Northwest and financial constraints, particularly as a new director working with emerging actors.
He noted that during this discussion, he mentioned how the industry at times seemed divided in its perception of him and his work.
“At some point, the Kannywood segment of the industry seemed to view us as Nollywood, while Nollywood also saw us as Kannywood, simply because I am from the North,” he said.
However, he emphasized that this was misinterpreted and reaffirmed his deep connection with Kannywood.
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“For clarity, Kannywood has never rejected me on the basis of ethnicity or religion. In fact, it has been my greatest pillar of support as a filmmaker,” he stated.
He further expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he received from audiences during the film’s cinema release, as well as from industry professionals, both veterans and newcomers.
“I say with every sense of responsibility that I am a Nigerian filmmaker, though of northern extraction. I reside in Kano, where I practice my craft, springboarding from Kannywood. I have enjoyed immense support here, with no prejudice whatsoever,” he affirmed.
Aboki also reiterated his commitment to the growth of the industry and changing narratives about the North.
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“I remain dedicated to working with my colleagues and the founding fathers of Kannywood to elevate our industry—telling our stories to the world and creating employment opportunities for our youth, far from the stereotypical portrayal of the North as a region of conflict and banditry,” he added.
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